Folding device



R. ASTLEY.

FOLDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1919.

1,346, 109. Patented July 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

[2211622 202" ffoberi flsflqy R. ASTLEY.

FOLDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22.1919- 1346, 109'. Pa ented July 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mlv X R. ASTLEY.

FOLDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22 1919 7 Patented July 13, 1920.

3SHEETS-SHEET3.

IGXIVXW l I I HEX .ETETDCHI .I IIIIIIIIIII.

HEXVI FfI-T'HMV M UNITED STATES new orrics.

ROBERT Asr nY, or BOSTON, rvrassaonusnrrs.

rename nnvrcn.

Application filed November 22, 1919. Serial No. 339,949.

To all whom it may conccrmi Be it known that I, ROBERT AsrLnY, a citizenof the United States, residing at Boston, county of Suffolk,Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Folding Devices, of whichthe following is aspecification.

This invention relates to folding devices and particularly to a simpletype of; machine on which letters, circulars or other papers in quantitymay be folded as desired with adequatespeed, accuracy and saving oflabor.

My invention contemplates a machine not of the automatic type in whichpapers are folded entirely by the machine itself, but rather a foldingdevice of inexpensive and convenient form by which such papers may begiven a rapid and uniform fold. The utility of such machine where theinitial investment vof a large and automatic ma chine is prohibitive, isvery great.

My invention involves therefore an apparatus in which a variety of foldsmay be effected and as an illustrative embodiment I have shown a simpledevice well adapted to office use and capable of production ininexpensive form for general availability.

The illustrative embodiment selectedfor the purposes of the presentapplication is shown in the accompanying drawings.

' Throughout the specification and drawings like reference charactersare employed to indicate corresponding parts, and in I the drawingsFigure I is a side elevation of a machine in accordance with myinvention.

Fig. II a partial plan view thereof.

Fig. III a section on the line 3-3, Fig. II.

Fig. IV a-side elevation showing the machine adjusted to a pile ofletters to be folded. I

Fig. V an enlarged plan detail.

Figs. VI and VII are end views of characteristic sheet folds.

Fig. VIII a fragmentary detail of. the folding blade mount. p

Fig. IX a rear elevation of the machine.

Figs. XI, XII and XIII diagrammatic views progressively illustrating anote paper fold, and I v i Figs. XIV, XV and XVI indicating in acorresponding manner a characteristic legal cap fold. I

In a preferred form of my? machine I provide a bed or table member 1preferably formed of sheet metal bent up with suitable legs 2 having aiiat upper surface adapted to receive a stack of sheets to be folded.

Mounted on the rear of the bed 1 are transverse and verticallyadjustable end frames 3. These frames have lateral flanges 4: inclosingthe sides ofthe rear legs. The rear legs are slotted at 2 and theflanges 4 are guided by studs 5 extending through the slots 2 rTransversely of the vertically adjustable end frames 3 is a guide orstop wall Gpreferably formed of sheet metal having end flanges 7 rivetedto the end pieces 3 as indicated in Fig. VIII. This transverse stoppiece 6 makes afface or wall against which the stack S of letters orother papers to be folded may be pushed so that they are held inauniform position. The whole transverse frame of which the pieces 3 and 6constitute the principal elements has a free sliding or floatingmovementvertically, belng normally sustainedby the folding blade I or bladeswhich rest on the top of the stack S. As the stack is reduced by thesuccessive withdrawal of folded sheets this rear frame settles down fromits'position shown in Fig. IV to its position shown in Fig. VIII. I

The transverse member 6 constituting the vertical stop wall is bentrearwardly as indicated at 7 Figs. IV and V, and longitudinally slottedas indicated at 8. Guided in the slot 8 are a plurality of clampingmembers preferably consisting of a threaded stem 9 having a wing'nut 10and adapted to clamp a blade. These blades such as are indicated at X, Yand Z, are preferably thin, slightly resilient blades of sheet metalslotted atone end as indicated at 11.; The studs 9 pass through theslotsof these blades'so that the. blade is not only transversely adjustableof-the machine, but adjustable longitudinally so as to giveithe desiredlength :of blade exposed to the table surface. I The blades may be ofany desired-width and length and a variety of blades ofinterchangeable.inature provided.

For example, the bladeindicated at X is of the widthof the'usual lettersheet when folded for the usualsmall envelopJpThe blade Y illustratesthetype of narrowblade be formed Without regard to the use of the otheredge for the opposing fold. Char-' acteristic folds appear in Figs. X toXIII,

Sheet 3, and Will be discussed later under up. would be placedtransversely of the machine operation. v p I p a Above the flange 7whlch carries the pri' mary folding blade orblades, is pivoted be tweenthe end member 3, a rocking blade 12 slotted at .13 in a manner similarto the slotting of the blade 7. The blade12' is nor mallymaintained inthe elevated position shown in Fig. I by a spring 14. "Within the slotis disposed the usual stud 9 with wing nut 10 for adjustably mounting ablade such a-sZ shown .in Fig. I. L This blade is similar to the primaryblades before described, but

r The machine Will therefore be seen to con sist of a bed on Whichastack of paper may be placed and held in predetermined position, afloating blade carrying .member preferably abutting .oneedge of thestack of paper, a primary blade mounting constantly restingon .the topsheet of the stack, and a secondary blade mounting normallyout ofcontact with the top sheet, but depressible to contactiposition when asecondary fold is "tobe made. V

In operatingthe device, a guide sheet is first carefullyfolded .by hand.to ascertain just exactly the fold which is desired for the entirestack. Reference may be had to a scale R on the bed or frame of the machlneif desiredto measure folds or assure angles on-blade set, 1f forexample, the

stack consists ofale tter sheets which are to I be given the usual foldfor a small envelop.

7 fold of the sheet.

I orthis purpose there would ordinarily be available a primary bladesuch as X. This blade Would be of a Widtlnjdeterminingthe Width of thelateral folds of theletter sheet,

"so asto give .it vvhen folded the proper dimensions to fit the envelopthe transverse plate? being given a length of the overlap on the bedlzt'o determine the length of the folded letter i sheet governed by theupward In Figs. X to XIII, I characteristic successive have indicatedfoldsiforsuchia sheet; It willfbe'understoold that the order ofmakingany'of these folds maybe variedand that a great varietyof folds maybeeifected so .as to get the desired results, as Where a portionof theletter head or size of paper} takes the folding outside of conventionallines. It: will alsofibe -11nderstood that instead of using a speciallypr'oportioned blade such'as tvvo narrow blades such as Ymaybesuitably'spa ced and set to govern'the desired Width of fold.

turned off at aspeed an automatic lllZlChlIlB.

Injthe example shoivn in Figs. XIV to X VL'it is desired to impart adouble fold such as the folding of'a sheet of legal cap.

Heretwo simple folds are desired both in usual conventional form, fromthe bottom In effecting this the stack S of sheets as bothfolds;aneftransversely of the sheet. Inthis .form as the folds arebrought merely against one edge, a narrow-blade such as Y may beused,"the blade-being extended across the machine so. asto traversethefwidth of the .sheet'inrits transverse position. In this case, asshown in Fig. XIV, a'blade Y is set sothatits left hand edge comes atthe middletransverse line offthe sheet' The sheet is then folded fromleft to right giving at first .a single fold across itself. It isnowdesired to impart asecondary-zfold. Thisis ,efiectedaby. placing downablade such as Z. Thisfmay alsobe a'narrow blade. This blade .has'beenset on the. transverse Way 1-2 so that its right hand edge will come onthe line of the secondary fold in {folding the already once foldedsheet-the second time.

Thisisecond fold is madefrom right toleft. As .the blades-are all}flexible the sheets folded thereonflin Whatever manner they mabekfolded, may be readily removedby siuiply Withdrawing them toward thefront of the .machine as indicated'by the arrow Fig. IV. 'In'otherivords, they aresimply pulled off .of the thinislightly flexible folding blade's. Letters so folded 'vvill befound to have eXactnnifo rmity..VVith comparaftivelylittle dex'terityionthepart of the op erator,sheets maybefolded with great rapidity and .neatnessand althoughmanipulated by hand andu ith cheap labor can be approaching. that of Themachine furthermore providesawide degree for the application of humanintelligeneeif any mental check isrequired. during the course of theoperation of folding' Each. sheet is substantially exposed to the glanceof the operatortand flaws, defects, dirt smooches,; errors,fetc.,.1naybe 1 detected.

' The machine beingf simple, inexpensive and easily operated makes itsuse available in a .great 'majorityflof lcasesywhere the installation ofan automatic machine would be prohibitive. As heretofore pointed out,

through the adjustment of blades andthe substitution of different kindsof blades, a

great variety of foldsmay beejlfect'ed The machine shown isiobviouslycapable of a considerable degree -of. modification,

theinventioninvolved therein is capable ofembodimentin many formslan'dsuch machi1res are adapted" toaa greatqvariety of uses. 7 are merely tobe considered is" illustrative embodiments and-modifications and changesthereof to be Within the purview ,of'my in The form shown and uses;discussed vention if found within the limits of the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

rier for movement relative to said bed and.

normally maintained away therefrom.

2. A folder comprising a bed, a floating blade carrier mounted forvertical movement relatively thereto, and a flexible f0lding blade adjustably and detachably mounted on said carrier, and a secondary bladecarrier adj ustably and detachably mounted on said carrier for movementrelative to said bed and normally maintained away therefrom.

A folder comprising a bed, a floating blade carrier mounted for verticalmovement relatively thereto, and a flexible folding blade adjustably anddetachably mounted on said carrier.

l. A folder comprising a bed, a floating blade carrier mounted forvertical movement relatively thereto, and a flexible folding bladeadjustably and detachably mounted on said carrier, and a secondary bladecarrier adjustably and detachably mounted on said carrier for movementrelative to said bed and normally maintained away therefrom.

5. In a folder of the class described, a'

support for a sheet stack, a floating folder supported to rest bygravity on the top of the stack and. adjustable thereacross.

6. In a folder of the class described, a support for a sheet stack, aprimary folder supported over the top of the stack, and adjustablethereacross, and a secondary folder mounted in normal maintenance awayfrom the said stack top, but movable over the top thereof and adjustablerelatively thereto.

7. In a folder of the. class described, a support for a sheet stack, afloating folder of substantially the shape to be folded supported torest by gravity on the top of the stack and adjustable thereacross.

8. In a folder of the class described, a

support for a sheet stack, a primary folder supported to rest by gravityon the top of the stack and adjustable thereacross, and a secondaryfolder mounted in normal maintenance away from said stack top, butmovable over the top thereof and adjustable t 'ansversely relativelythereto.

9. In a folder, a support for a sheet, a floating carrier mounted forvertical movement relative thereto, and a folder blade of selected folddimension detachably mounted upon said carrier.

10. In a folder, a support for a sheet, a floating carrier mounted forvertical movement relative thereto, and a flexible folder blade ofselected fold dimension adjustably mounted upon said carrier.

11. In a folder, a support for a sheet, a floating carrier mounted forvertical movement relativethereto, and a detachable and adjustablefolder blade of selected fold dimension.

12. A folding device comprising a sheet support, a floating folder blademounting, adapted for vertical movement relative thereto, and aplurality of adjustable, detachableand interchangeable folder bladescarried by said mounting.

18. A folding device comprising a sheet support, a floating folder blademounting, adapted for vertical movement relative thereto, and aplurality of detachable and interchangeable folder blades carried bysaid mountin ll. A folding device comprising a sheet support, primaryand secondary folder blade mountings selectively movable toward saidsupport, and a plurality of adjustable, detachable and interchangeablefolder blades carried by said mountings for variable positioningrelative to the sheet support.

15. In a folder, the combination with a bed, adapted to support a sheetstack, of a folder supported over the top of the stackv and adjustablerelative thereto, and an auxiliary folder mounted in normal maintenanceaway from said stack and movable toward said stack for adjustmentthereover. In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

ROBERT ASTLEY. Witnesses Vrcronm LOW'DEN, MARION F. WEISS.

